Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Friday his Republican administration will immediately push to enhance gun laws in ways that honor the Second Amendment but protect the public from future tragedies like the mass shooting carried out at Santa Fe High School Friday morning.
“We need to do more than just pray for the victims and their families. It’s time in Texas that we take action to step up and make sure this tragedy is never repeated ever again in the history of the state of Texas,” Abbott told reporters at a press conference Friday afternoon.
Abbott promised to gather Texas state lawmakers, community leaders and other stakeholders for meetings as early as next week.
“We want to hear from everybody who has an interest in what has happened today so we can work together on putting together laws that will protect Second Amendment rights but at the same time ensure that our communities and especially our schools are safer places,” he added.
The conservative governor’s priorities include improving background checks, providing schools with resource officers, and making mental health resources available at schools.
Abbott did not mention Republican Florida Gov. Rick Scott who implemented a comprehensive gun reform law following the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, which claimed the lives of more than a dozen people.
A student opened-fire on a high school in Sante Fe, Texas Friday morning, killing 10 and injuring 10 others. Several bombs were found in close proximity to the school.
